As we come off of the Christmas season, we still have a few lingering ideas that are in our hearts. We have the joy of the time we shared together this season with so many people in so many places. We have the anticipation of the New Year that comes tomorrow. Somehow, there just seems to be a Thrill of Hope in the air.

Romans 8:20-25 NLT

Broken World - No bones about it… our world is messed up. It’s under a curse. Sin brought that curse on this world and I’m sorry to say that we will never escape it on this side of eternity. Life is hard, because the world is cursed. Relationships are hard, because the world is cursed.

Savory Sample - Verse 23 says that we have been given a “foretaste” of the Holy Spirit. This is the image that Paul was using for the Roman Church. He is saying, “you have the gif ...